Why pausing is a power move for your career
Siobhan Barnes
Supporting high-achieving professionals into their next level leadership without sacrificing their soul, sanity or steady pay-cheque.
In a world that glorifies hustle, pausing can feel wrong.
How do you slow down when there’s a never-ending to-do list at work—and home?
Yet, here’s the paradox: making space to pause is often the very thing that creates clarity, energy, and momentum for what truly matters.
This is something I’ve seen transform the careers and lives of so many women I’ve worked with (myself included!) And something 40+ women experienced live with Elaine and I during last week’s webinar training on How To Figure Out Your Next Career Step where we paused together to reassess our priorities.?
Pausing doesn’t have to mean a week-long retreat or a luxury spa day completely switched off from work (though of course that’s great if you can swing it!)?
Sometimes, all it takes is a moment. Here’s how you can create small, meaningful pauses—even in a packed schedule.
?? Journaling Prompt (5 minutes)
Ask yourself:
?? Silent Walk (10–20 minutes)
No headphones. No distractions. Just let your mind wander—especially in nature.
?? Micro-Breaks (1–2 minutes) Pause between meetings or tasks for mindful breathing. Try box breathing or let an app guide you. HeadSpace, Calm App and Insight Timer are all good options.?
? The magic of pausing isn’t just in stepping away; it’s in the clarity it brings when you return.
Curious about how you can incorporate a pause into your busy schedule? I’m diving deeper into The Power of Pause on the latest episode of The Aligned Achiever Podcast.
Listen here: siobhanbarnes.com/120